Emergency Services
Financial Emergencies
If an American citizen’s money has been lost or stolen in South India, the Consulate can help receive funds from friends or relatives in the U.S. If you need help in transferring funds to an American citizen in India, please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai at 2857-4000. (When calling from the U.S., please remember first to dial 011-91-44.)
Here are some forms of assistance we can offer:
Information about Transfers of Funds from the U.S. to a bank in India
Emergency Transfers of Funds to the Consulate
More information for U.S. travelers facing an emergency
Transfers of Funds. Many American banks are affiliated with Indian banks and will readily transfer funds. Please ask your American bank for information. The only American banking services in South India (Chennai) are American Express, Citibank and the Bank of America. (They also have branches in New Delhi, Mumbai/Bombay, and Kolkata/Calcutta.)
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American Express does not assist persons who are not cardholders.
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Citibank advises that funds transfers can take up to 14 days.
Western Union offers a money transfer service to participating SITA travel agents in 15 cities in India. For more information, contact a SITA travel agency if you are in India, or call Western Union at 800-325-6000 if you are in the U.S.
Emergency Transfers of Funds to the Consulate. In a genuine emergency, an American citizen can have funds transferred from the U.S. through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Department of State, Washington, DC.
Please contact this office at 888-407-4747 (from overseas: 202-501-4444) for information on how to send money. When the Consulate receives notification from the State Department, funds are released in rupees or dollars to the American citizen recipient.
This service is for true emergencies only, when time does not allow transfer of funds through normal banking channels. Funds should not exceed the amount needed to resolve the emergency situation, funds should not be used for commercial transactions, and large sums (over $1,000) should be avoided.
More information for U.S. travelers facing an emergency. The U.S. State department offers more information on the types of services available to Americans in trouble overseas here.
The Office of Overseas Citizens Services is at 888-407-4747 (from overseas: 202-501-4444).